The Diversity of Inspiration: The Magic of San Miguel Writers’ Conference

Saying Yes to San Miguel

When Brooke Warner first recommended this conference to me months ago, I hesitated. The timing felt off. Who wants to travel just weeks after returning from a trip abroad? I longed to stay home, write, and remain within my comfort zone. But something about the San Miguel de Allende Writers’ Conference—the promise of a beautifully diverse gathering of writers from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada—called to me.

And I’m so glad I said yes.

My friend Lisa and I traveled together, nearly missing our connection in Mexico City because we were leisurely sipping coffee after an exhausting security check (they confiscated my food, but let’s keep the details of that ordeal a mystery). Upon arriving in Querétaro, our pre-arranged shuttle awaited, and soon we were in the company of fellow writers. The adventure had begun.

A Literary Feast in a Stunning Setting

The next morning, we were welcomed with a vibrant opening ceremony, where festival-goers gathered, sipping drinks and nibbling on pastries. The setting—a sprawling green space extending from Hotel Real de Minas—was the perfect backdrop for a conference teeming with energy.

The San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Book Festival was a masterfully organized literary event, brimming with inspiration, 77 workshops, 12 intensive sessions, and an extraordinary lineup of keynote speakers, including:

• Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale)

• Jorge Hernandez (We Read and Write for the Benefit of Memory and Imagination)

• John Irving (The World According to Garp)

• Ruth Reichl (Writing Paris: When a City Becomes a Character)

• Kaveh Akbar (Martyr!)

• John Vaillant (Fire Weather)

• Jennifer Clement (The Promised Party)

The Magic of Unexpected Connections

Some of the most unforgettable moments happened between sessions—walking from the white tents to the main building, past poets performing in an open-air setting, their words carried by the breeze. Through spontaneous conversations and interactions between workshops, I met individuals I never anticipated crossing paths with. Some reside near me in California, and we plan to stay in touch. You know who you are, my sweet dinner companion.

Highlights from the Conference

• Susan Sutcliff Brown’s workshops—Perfect Storm: Creating Suspense in Literary Memoir and Fiction and Scene Building in Memoir, left me empowered and inspired. As a James Joyce scholar, her insights and teaching were exceptional.

• Courtney Maum’s session—Making Memoir Work: Tips for Creating Plot and Broadening Relevancy in Personal Narrative, was packed with the details I needed. Her generosity, clarity, and humor made the business of writing fun.

• An unexpected introduction—After a class, an attendee approached me and offered his brother’s contact info, a journalist and author of a well-known book on autism. A conversation I never saw coming, yet one that might open doors.

• Meeting Kaveh Akbar (National Book Award finalist for Martyr!)—Listening to his deeply moving keynote speech and poetry. Despite recovering from an injury and leaning on a cane, he stayed and spoke graciously with every attendee.

• Margaret Atwood on stage—Her insights were unexpectedly thought-provoking, her words lingering long after.

• John Vaillant’s keynote on fire and climate change—A wake-up call wrapped in compelling storytelling.

• Brooke Warner’s inclusive spirit—Bringing us together for a fun lunch, a sweet gesture that meant the world to me.

• The coffee shops of San Miguel—Serving much-needed caffeine to weary writers, the baristas’ kindness and warmth. I have never been in another country where locals apologized for not speaking better English—in their own homeland.

• A serendipitous connection with a neurodivergent writer and autism mother. Our conversation made me feel heard, seen, and understood—a memory I will cherish.

• A jewelry shop visit with my shopping buddy. We went back twice because the artist’s work was extraordinary. He even gifted us a small souvenir, his hospitality reminiscent of the shopkeepers back home in Turkey.

The Power of Symbols: The San Miguel Writers’ Conference Logo

The San Miguel Writers' Conference logo beautifully intertwines the town's rich history with the transformative power of storytelling. Depicting a pre-Hispanic-style dog drinking from the El Chorro spring, the logo pays homage to the legend of San Miguel de Allende's founding. According to this legend, the indigenous Chichimeca people named the area "Izcuinapan," meaning "Dog's River," after the working dogs of Fray Bernardo de Cossin discovered this vital water source during an expedition. This spring nourished the early settlement and continues to flow today, symbolizing resilience, vitality, and creativity. The dog in the logo represents an ancient creature that transforms water, wisdom, and inspiration into beautiful words, phrases, and books, uniting San Miguel's heritage with its longstanding celebration of the written word.

While at the conference, I purchased a necklace featuring this logo, handcrafted by deaf children, with proceeds supporting their community. Wearing it was more than just an adornment—it was a quiet declaration of belonging.

Diversity is the Heart of Storytelling

I will carry the memories, the inspiration, and my San Miguel Writers’ Conference necklace—a small yet powerful emblem of a place where words, history, and human connection flow like the waters of El Chorro.

This conference, a truly tri-cultural event, unites the literary communities of Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, fostering a rich tapestry of voices and stories. Embracing this diversity has deepened my understanding of the world and enriched my own storytelling.

It reminds us that sharing our unique narratives creates a more connected and empathetic global community.

What About You?

• How has embracing diverse narratives enriched your own storytelling or understanding of the world?

• Can you share an experience where stepping out of your comfort zone led to unexpected inspiration?

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